Using keyboard shortcuts on your Windows 11 PC can bring a lot of convenience to the table. Knowing the correct key combinations for performing certain tasks improves your speed and eliminates the need to constantly juggle between the keyboard and mouse. But what happens when Windows fails to respond to these keyboard shortcuts? If basic troubleshooting like restarting your computer doesn't help, you can use the solutions below to fix the problem. Keyboard shortcuts On Windows 11.
1. Run the troubleshooter
Windows 11 has a built-in troubleshooter for almost every tool, so before trying anything else, you should run the Keyboard troubleshooter and let it fix the problem for you.
Step 1: press the . key Windows + I To open Settings. On the System tab, scroll down to select find the mistakes and resolve it.
Step 2: Next, tap Other troubleshooters.
Step 3: Locate Keyboard Troubleshooter Site and press the . button Employment to start Troubleshooting process.
2. Check sticky keys and filter keys
Using shortcuts in Windows requires pressing the correct key combination once. But if you're having difficulty performing a shortcut this way, you can enable Sticky Keys on Windows You can perform these shortcuts by pressing one key at a time. Here's how.
Step 1: Press Windows key + I to open an app. Settings.
Step 2: Use the right pane to switch to the Accessibility tab. On your right, scroll down to Interaction Section and select keyboard.
Step 3: Turn off the switch next to Sticky Keys.
If the problem persists, consider disabling FilterKeys from the same menu and trying again. When enabled, FilterKeys on Windows may sometimes mistakenly ignore keystrokes.
3. Disable game mode
Gaming keyboards often have special modes that effectively disable keyboard shortcuts to prevent accidental interruptions during gameplay. If you're using a gaming keyboard, you'll need to access your keyboard software and look for any options that may have disabled shortcuts on Windows.
4. Restart the Human Interface Device service.
The Human Interface Device Service is a program responsible for keyboard shortcut functionality on Windows. If the service isn't running in the background, Windows keyboard shortcuts won't work. Here's how to enable it.
Step 1: Open menu START YOUR , And type Services , And press Enter.
Step 2: in window Services Scroll down to locate Human Interface Device ServiceRight-click on it and select START YOUR from the list.
If the service is already running, select Reboot.
5. Enable Windows Key Shortcuts from Group Policy
If you're a Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise user, you can also access Group Policy And make sure keyboard shortcuts aren't disabled from there. Here's how.
Step 1: press the . key Windows + R to start Run command , And type gpedit.msc , And press Enter.
Step 2: in window Group Policy Editor Use the right pane to move to the next folder.
User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\File Explorer
Step 3: On your right, double-click the option Turn off shortcut keys For Windows Key.
Step 4: Locate broken From the next window, click on Application followed byOK.
Exit the Group Policy Editor and restart your computer before checking the keyboard shortcuts.
6. Update keyboard drivers
Drivers help Windows communicate with your computer's hardware. If there's a problem with your keyboard drivers installed on Windows 11, they may not work as expected. You can try updating these drivers to see if that helps resolve the issue. This applies to both desktop and laptop computers. Here's how.
Step 1: Click search icon of Taskbar , And type device Manager Click on the first result that appears.
Step 2: Look for keyboard Expand it. Right-click on it. Keyboard drivers , and select Driver Update from the list.
7. Try a clean boot
Third-party programs on your computer can also cause a shortcut to not work. For example, if you use a program like PowerToys to remap keys or shortcuts on Windows, the shortcut may not work.
You can try Start your computer in a clean boot state. To get started without any third-party software or unnecessary services, here's how.
Step 1: Click on Win + R To open Run dialog box. 1. Open , write msconfig. msc , And press Enter.
Step 2: in window System Configuration (System configuration) Go to the tab Services. Check the box that reads “Hide all Microsoft services” box , then click the . button “Disable all”.
Step 3: In the same window, go to the tab startup And click Open Task Manager.
Step 4: Under Startup, select Disable all programs.
Once this is done, restart your computer. This time, Windows will boot with only essential programs and services. If the shortcuts work fine during this time, you'll need to check for and remove any conflicting third-party applications or programs that may be causing the issue.
Navigate quickly with shortcuts
Aside from trying the solutions above to fix keyboard shortcuts not working on Windows 11, it's also important to clean your keyboard from time to time. Dust or debris can easily slip between the keys and clog them. If one or more keys on your keyboard are stuck or malfunctioning, Windows may fail to register your key inputs.
